Chapter 8 - The Courtroom Checkmate
Three months later, the divorce proceedings took place in a sterile downtown courthouse.
Marcus had managed to hire a sleazy, bottom-of-the-barrel defense attorney who worked on contingency. Marcus looked ten years older. His hair was thinning, the bespoke suits were replaced by an ill-fitting off-the-rack jacket, and his arrogant swagger had been entirely beaten out of him by federal indictments.
I walked into the courtroom wearing a tailored black suit, looking like an executioner. Victor walked beside me, carrying a single briefcase.
The judge, a no-nonsense woman who had no patience for white-collar criminals, banged her gavel. "Mr. Sterling, you are contesting the post-nuptial agreement, claiming it was signed under duress?"
"Yes, Your Honor!" Marcus's lawyer barked. "My client was tricked into signing an unconscionable document that leaves him destitute!"
My lawyer stood up, calmly adjusting his glasses. "Your Honor, Mr. Sterling is a Harvard-educated corporate lawyer. He signed the document in the presence of two witnesses and a notary. He cannot claim he was 'tricked' into signing a contract he himself drafted the initial framework for."
The judge reviewed the file, her lips pursing. She looked down at Marcus. "Mr. Sterling, I have the FBI’s preliminary report here regarding your embezzlement. The funds you are trying to claim as 'marital assets' were stolen from your clients and your wife's family estate. You are asking this court to reward you for federal crimes."
Marcus stood up, trembling, looking at me with absolute hatred. "She set me up! She orchestrated the whole thing to take my firm!"
"Sit down, Mr. Sterling," the judge snapped. "Your firm is bankrupt because you drained it to fund your mistresses and your family's lavish lifestyle. The post-nuptial agreement is ironclad. I am upholding it in full. Mrs. Sterling retains 100% of all assets, properties, and capital. You are left with your personal debts. Divorce granted."
May you like
The gavel cracked like a gunshot.
Marcus collapsed into his chair, burying his face in his hands, weeping openly in the courtroom. I stood up, buttoned my jacket, and walked out without looking back. Checkmate.
